Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-29

From the Chicago News.
1t viii be year yet before the Garfield memo
rial monument Is completed ana the remains of
the dead President placed at rest forever in the
tomb prepared for them by the people Of the
United States During the last six months there
have been many unfavorable criticisms passed
upon the committee In charge OF the construction
OF the monument, On account OF q radical change
made In the original plans whereby the height ia
reduced nearly so feet, thus TO a certain extent
marring the symmetry and nne proportions OF the
structure. II has also been stated that the money
subscribed for the purpose had been extravagaptIy
expended. and that the entire work would fall far
below the expectations OF the prOjectOrs-in other
words, that the monument was failure.
Probably no similar work has been the subject
Of 50 much discussion as this. Engineers have de-
nounced the plan and manner OF construction:
architects and the general public have laughed at
and condemned the design, and the committee in
charge has filled columns OF local papers with
elaborate replies to their captiOus critics AS
originally designed, the monument was to nave been
22S feet In height AS It now stands the height is
but 10 feet from base to tip. Why was this re-
ductfon made? The trustees clam because the
funds az their command were not sufficient TO
build the tower any higher and permit the neces-
sary interior nisnings the local engineers assert
that the trustees awoke to the fact that the
foundations were Insecure. and SO modified their
plans TO meet the emergency and insure safety.
The monument Is very nearly finished as regards
It's exterior It's height Is ITO feet, and IL IS sur
mouned by an open, arched, carved-stOne lantern
An order OF eanOpied and tracerfed windows en-
riches md breaks the summit OF the tower. At its
base projects square porch, decorated internally
with historical feZe. IL Is divided into bas-re-
hefs, which represent the career OF GARFIELD as a
teacher, soldier, statesman, President, and
his remarkable funeral The tower rises from
broad terraces, which will be reached by wide
spreading steps, and thus form a dignfied ap-
proach to the monument. The porch Is entered
through wide and richly decorated recessed DOR
tai and within Is wide vestibule vaulted In stone
and with pavement or stone mosaic.
The memorial shrine occupies the entire space
Enclosed by the outer circular walls OF the tower
and is designed to contain bronze or marble DOR.
trait statue or Garfield, standing On pedestal in
the center OF the chamber. The statue Is made
the soul OF the monument; the whole design leads
up to and h concentrated on this central figure;
the monument grows out OF this kernel as II were
and the tower surrounds and rises above its treas
ure, and proclams it TO the world. In a crypt un-
defneath the rotunda Is situated the mortuary
chapel, and here will be placed the body OF the
dead President.
IL is the Intention of the trustees TO decorate this
interior in very elaborate manner. 1t Is as yet
very incomplete, but nevertheless visitors are
charged an admission fee Of 10 cents to view the
structure. This Is amusing, in che face Of the fact
that the people are also paying for the monument.
The fund originally raised amounted to $780, 78 8S
and with interest for six years past win eventually
reach $3.50. 600 Garleld's body now lies In the
public receiving vault OF the cemetery, having been
placed there Wnen the Government guard was re-